ANAHEIM, Calif. and LONDON April 18, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- American Association of Cancer Research Meeting in Anaheim, California -- Cancer drug developer Antisoma plc (LSE:ASM) today presents the promising data that led to selection of AS1410 as its lead telomere targeting agent (TTA) for clinical trials. AS1410 more than halved the growth rate of established prostate cancer xenografts. It was the most effective TTA among a panel under evaluation, including the original TTA BRACO19, which had itself already shown promise in prostate and other cancer models. AS1410 retains the benefit of a rapid onset of action, with inhibition of tumour growth seen only seven days after starting treatment.
Two other presentations on the experimental evaluation of TTAs were given yesterday by members of Professor Stephen Neidle's group from the School of Pharmacy, University of London. Professor Neidle and his collaborators originally invented the class of small molecules now known as TTAs. These molecules rapidly inhibit the growth of cancer cells through direct binding to telomeres, the DNA at the ends of chromosomes. The panel of TTAs from which AS1410 was selected was generated by Professor Neidle's group.
Targeting telomeres is an approach with broad therapeutic potential because it addresses a fundamental property of all cancer cells. This is the ability to grow and divide continuously, free from the controls that restrain normal cells. An important control is the telomere, which in normal cells shortens with each division until it reaches a critical length, preventing further division. Cancer cells acquire ways of avoiding this shortening, subverting the control of division by the telomere. This is, however, associated with changes in telomere structure and function that are potentially amenable to targeting by drugs, such as Antisoma's TTAs.
Professor Stephen Neidle, TTA inventor, said: "We're delighted to be collaborating with Antisoma and that our work together has yielded a strong lead candidate for development, which will be the first of its kind to enter clinical trials"
Glyn Edwards, CEO of Antisoma, said: "Targeting the telomere is a cutting-edge approach to cancer therapy with great commercial potential. With AS1410 progressing rapidly towards clinical trials we remain at the forefront of this field."
Except for the historical information presented, certain matters discussed in this statement are forward looking statements that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties may be associated with product discovery and development, including statements regarding the company's clinical development programmes, the expected timing of clinical trials and regulatory filings. Such statements are based on management's current expectations, but actual results may differ materially.
Background/Notes to Editors
TTA programme developments
Antisoma announced in November 2004 that it had selected a lead candidate from the TTA programme to take forward into clinical trials under the name AS1410. This molecule shows improvements over BRACO19, the TTA originally licensed by Antisoma through Cancer Research UK from the London School of Pharmacy. The licensing deal was announced in September 2003.
Background on Antisoma
Based in London, UK, Antisoma is a biopharmaceutical company that develops novel products for the treatment of cancer. Antisoma fills its development pipeline by acquiring promising new product candidates from internationally recognised academic or cancer research institutions. Its core activity is the preclinical and clinical development of these drug candidates. In 2002, Antisoma formed a broad strategic alliance with Roche to develop and commercialise products from Antisoma's pipeline. Please visit www.Antisoma.com for further information about Antisoma.